Image: The Big Lake

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 16, 2024

Last summer, Abby Tofte, owner of The Big Lake Store in Grand Marais, Minnesota, dedicated a small space within the store for a new endeavor: Lady Superior Bottle Shop. This bottle shop was (and still is) the first of its kind along the North Shore, in that it specializes in providing delicious non-alcoholic beverages, made with quality ingredients by small businesses like herself. 

In October 2023, Tofte told Boreal Community Media that she had no idea if a non-alcoholic (NA) bottle shop would succeed. “I didn’t know if there was even interest in the community”. But, being sober herself, she knew how difficult it was to find good-tasting NA beer, wine, and cocktails (often referred to as “mocktails” when made without alcohol) that she could enjoy with friends and family.

 Photo: Lady Superior Bottle Shop

The response, however, has been huge and positive. Since last October, Tofte has received many comments from locals who are also sober that they feel seen. She has customers who drive from all over, including Duluth, to stock up on NA beverages. “During the slower season that we typically see during the winter, I expected sales to do down. But the NA beverage sales didn’t.”

More space

One of Tofte’s goals was to hopefully move Lady Superior Bottle Shop out of The Big Lake and into a larger location. And while she didn’t have a specific timeframe in mind, that opportunity presented itself earlier this year with the closure of Gunflint Mercantile. 

 Image: The Big Lake

Mercantile owner Chelsea Pusc co-owned the building with Tofte. After Pusc announced she was closing the Mercantile, moving, and starting a new endeavor, The Chocolate Dog, her half of the building became available. 

In a Facebook post dated Mar 16, 2024, Tofte shared that she and her husband, Sam Hedstrom, had purchased Pusc’s building share. Part of the post said: “Truth be told, it has been a VERY slow winter, as was last winter. Certainly not the ideal time to purchase a building, we were not planning for this purchase. However, it was the one and only opportunity to do so, and therefore, it is the right time.”

 Photo: Laura Durenberger-Grunow

With more space, Tofte can finally bring to life the goal of expanding Lady Superior Bottle Shop. Along with the variety of non-alcoholic wines, beers, cocktails, and CBD and THC beverages, a small bar with seating is in the works. “We’re so excited to offer this space for people who are sober or sober curious and feel like they don’t really have a place to go out and enjoy a fun drink,” she said. 

The bar will be open on Friday and Saturday evenings and will serve NA cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, tasting flights, and hopefully treats. “We are working with Cedar Sweets to create exclusive Lady Superior Bottle Shop goodies for people to enjoy with their friends and family. 

On Thursdays, the Bottle Shop will be hosting special themed evenings that are open to everyone but will have a focus on locals. “We’ll be serving special cocktails and playing music that all relate to whatever theme we select for that evening.” 

Tofte emphasized that she wants Lady Superior Bottle Shop to be a space where people can feel seen. A “third space”, in which you’re not at home or work (your first and second space), the place you go where you feel comfortable and where you can be yourself. “Locals have already put Lady Superior onto their regular shopping trips, and now I want to provide a fun, non-alcoholic space where they can hang out and enjoy delicious drinks,” she said. “I also want to hear from locals as to what brands they’d like to see, or what they’d like to see in the space. I want this to be a place for them.” 

 Photo: Lady Superior Bottle Shop

It will also be a space where anyone can try out tastings of NA, CBD, and THC beverages (even if the bar isn’t open), to help make these types of drinks more accessible, and to help someone find their new favorite beverage. Acknowledging that price can be a factor that prevents some people from jumping into the world of NA beverages, she said: “Because the NA scene is still relatively new, many, if not most, of these companies are small, family-run businesses like mine. A lot don’t work through distributors, so we’re working directly with the company to have them shipped up here, which can add to the cost. You’re also supporting brands that use good, quality ingredients, and that you don’t see everywhere else. There can be barriers to buying NA alternatives because they can be expensive - especially if you aren’t able to try them before you buy. We hope to change that.”

A new endeavor

Lady Superior won’t be the only thing that occupies the old truffle shop. A new endeavor is also taking shape in the form of a hand-curated, unique, North Shore Gift Shop where people can find their perfect gift that will remind them of a place we all love. “I want people to walk in and feel like they’re walking into someone’s North Woods home. I want them to find the perfect souvenir, and can envision that item in their own home,” she said. 

The new shop will be called “Harbortown Goods”, and will be located in the front end of the shop, with the Lady Superior Bottle Shop in the second half. And for those who are looking to find a new favorite local artist and maker or pick up a new design from an already established favorite, The Big Lake will remain across the hall. 

Along with items Tofte personally selected or has made by companies to sell in Harbor Town Goods, she is also hoping to have chocolate-themed treats as a homage to her friend and former building co-owner, Pusc. “We are working to bring Chelsea’s truffles into Harbor Town Goods as soon as she’s set up in her new location.”

Lady Superior Bottle Shop and Harbor Town Goods will officially open Memorial Weekend, with special Grand Opening events planned. 

Image: Lady Superior Bottle Shop

However, an event taking place this weekend will provide a sneak peek of the space. Lady Superior Bottle Shop is hosting a Higher Vibes NA Happy Hour on Saturday, April 20, 2024. 

The event will feature THC and CBD drinks and aims to help people learn about these types of beverages, ask questions, and unlearn what we were taught about THC in general. Attendees can enjoy samples of low-dose THC and CBD drinks with flights of different options and flavors.

Even non-THC or CBD drinkers can attend, as other NA options will be available for purchase. Munchies and good times are also included. 

As if that’s not enough, Lady Superior will be offering NA wine tastings, flights, and pours at North Shore Winery for special pop-up events on  May 4th and May 11th. More details to come. Visit the North Shore Winery website or follow Lady Superior Bottle Shop on Facebook or Instagram for more information. 

You can also sign up for more information on The Big Lake website here.

Find more about Harbortown Goods on Facebook or Instagram. 

Learn more about Lady Superior Bottle Shop on Facebook or Instagram.